Lesson #3 Directional Prefixes Our focus this week is the directional prefix ob- meaning “up against, in the way”

Obstruct Opponent Occur Offer Would it surprise you to learn that all four of these words come from the prefix ob-?

With your partner, write a definition for each word: obstruct, opponent, occur, offer. What do these words have in common?

Which of these ob- words fits the description? To block something or be “in the way” obstruct Someone who runs “against” someone else in an election opponent To happen or just come “up” occur To give something “up to” someone offer

These words have gone through a process called assimilation. How does assimilation work? Sometimes when a prefix meets a base, it undergoes a spelling change; the final consonant of the prefix assimilates and becomes the first consonant of the base. The result is a double consonant near the beginning of the word.

Turn to your partner and try saying the word obfer. Now try obcur. Say the word obponent. Which is easier to say? Obfer or offer?

Choose two of the following words and describe the process of assimilation: Offering Oppress Occupation Offend Opposition Occurrence

Word Study Lesson 3 wordprefix base basesuffixdefinition

1. obstruct ob + struct = obstruct ob + struct = obstruct struct + To build in the way of something = In the way That palm tree is going to obstruct my view of the beach.

2. offend of + fend = offend of + fend = offend strike + To strike up against someone else’s ideas = Up against Sometimes what we say can offend other people.

3. obstacle ob + sta = obstacle ob + sta = obstacle stand + Something that stands in the way = In the way I would like to run the obstacle course; it looks fun.

4. opponent op + pon = opponent op + pon = opponent Put, place + A person who is put up against you in a game = We play our hardest opponent of the season next week. Up against

5. opposite op + posit = opposite op + posit = opposite Put, place + Something put against something else = Up against Up is the opposite of down.

6. offer 6. offer of + fer = offer of + fer = offer Bring + To bring something = In the way I would like to offer you this gift in honor of your birthday.

7. observe ob + serv = observe ob + serv = observe Keep watch + To keep watch over things = In the way In science, we are going to observe different flavors of gum.

8. objection ob + ject = objection ob + ject = objection throw + To react up against something = Up against The lawyer made an objection in court today.

9. obnoxious ob + nox = obnoxious ob + nox = obnoxious harm + When someone causes harm to another = Up against That dog can be so obnoxious when it barks all night and keeps awake.

10. occurrence oc + cur = occurrence oc + cur = occurrence Run, go + Something that comes up = Up against We were late because of an unexpected occurrence.